Grass-receptacle for lawn-mowers.



, no. 7|'5,72|. u Patented nee. 9,1902.

' LA FAYETTE wlLDl-:nmuTlL GRASS REGPTACLE FDR LAWN MDWEBS` (Applicationmed Jun 24, 1902.)

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o f 79 l f b ryqomyztys :fans co. FNomLlTnn.. WASHINGTON, n, c.

rrsED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

LA FAYETTE WILDERMUTH, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

GRASS-RECEPTACLE FOR LAWN-MOWERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 715,721, dated December9, 1902.

- Application led J une 24, 1902.

,To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LA FAYETTE WILDER- MUTH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State ofOhio, have invented a new and useful Grass-Receptacle for Lawn-Mowers,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of grassreceptacles for lawn-mowingmachines which are provided with a frame that may be distended, so as tofit machines of different widths.

My invention relates especially to an improved construction of the frameand the construction therewith of a spring by means of which the saidframe may be contracted so as to retain it securely in position foroperation upon the machineto which it is applied.

Specifically my invention consists in the improved construction andarrangement of the parts of the frame, which will be hereinafter fullydescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved grass-receptacle for lawn-mowers, the front portion of thereceivingbag having been broken away so as to expose the construction ofthe frame more clearly. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper frameof the device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lower frame. Fig. 4is a detail view showing the joint between the upper and the lowerframe.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by likecharacters of reference.

The frame of my improved grass-receptacle is composed of two separateparts-namely, a top frame 1 and a bottom frame 2. The top frame iscomposed of the sides 3 3, connected at their upper ends by across-piece 4 and having their front ends extended downwardly to formlegs 5 5, thelower ends of which are bent or twisted to form eyes 6 6,from which short Shanks 7 7 are extended downwardly, as shown. From thelower ends of these Shanks short arms 8 8 are extended forwardly, andthese arms are provided at their front ends with inturned 'hooks orcatches 9 9. This frame, as well as the lower frame, to be presentlydescribed, is preferably constructed of wire, galvanized wire beingpreferred, this being a material which lends itself readily to SerialNo. 113,038. (No model.)

the construction described and which is durable, inexpensive, and notliable to destruction by rust or fromother causes.

The bottom frame of the deviceis composed of the sides 10 l0, which arespaced apart by the cross-piece 11. The front ends of the sidepieces 1010 are bent at right angles, so as to form what l shall call theguide-rods 12 12, each of which is of a length about equal to the rearpiece 11. These guide-rods lying closely together constitute J[he frontend of the bottom frame. Each of the guide-rods 12 is provided at apoint closely adjacent to the side bar 10, from which it extends, with adepression 13, the purpose of which will presently be made apparent.

In connecting the frames of my improved device the guide-rods formingthe front ends of the bottom Vframe are inserted from the outsidethrough the eyes 6 of the top frame, the said eyes 6 forming bearingsthat engage with the depressions 13 in the guide-rods, so as to formhinges, whereby the two frames are enabled to have a swinging movementrelatively to each other.'v The depressions 13 also form shoulders thatengage the eyes 6, so as to form lock-joints that will be foundefficient in preventing the accidental displace ment of the parts.

14 designates aspring, which is coiled upon the guide-rods 12,constituting the front end of the bottom frame of the device. The endsof this spring are twisted around, and thus connected with the sides ofthe frame. This spring, it will thus be seen, performs a double functionin that it not only serves to draw the sides of the top frame in thedirection of each other, but also to connect or hold together the rods11, constituting the front end of the bottom frame. The said rods inturn also perform a double function in that they not only connect thesides or constitute the front end of the bottom frame, but also serve tosupport the spring 14,which is guided upon the said rods. It willspecially 'be observed that no matter how far the sides of the frame aredistended the spring 14 will always be supported throughout its ICCentire length. This is an important feature l in the construction of thedevice, inasmuch as Without such permanent support any portion of thespring that might be left unsupported would on coming in contact withany obstruction be liable to be bent or distorted out of' shape and bepermanently injured.

I prefer to provide the bottom frame with one or more braces 16,consisting of rods or wires provided at their rear ends with eyes 17,engaging the rear cross-bar of said bottom frame and having at theirfront ends eyes 18, that encircle the guide-rods 12, both of the latterbeing encircled by each of said eyes. These braces when used serve tostrengthen the device, to form additional supports for the bottom of thebag or textile receptacle usedin connection with the frame, and to formadditional supports for the guiderods l2,while in no Wise hindering orobstructing the operation of the spring 14.

Upon the rear cross-bare of the top frame is mounted a hook 19, adaptedto be connected with the handle of the lawn-mower to which the device isapplied. The entire frame comprised by the top and bottom framessupports in the usual manner a bag or receptacle 20, made of anysuitable textile material.

In operation the device is connected with a lawn-mower by distending thesides of the frame and placing the hooks 9 of the top frame inengagement with suitable slots or sockets in the sides of the mower-frame. These slots or sockets may be specially provided, or I may make useof the slots in the roller-adjusting links or any other part of themower that lends itself to the purpose. It is evident that the sides ofthe frames of my device are capable of considerable distention, thusenabling the device to be adjusted for operation upon lawn-mowersgreatly varying in width. Owing to this considerable scope ofadjustment, my device need not be manufactured in many different sizes.In fact, one single size may be used successfully upon lawnmowers of allthe sizes ordinarily used. It is obvious that the bag or receptacle 20should be made loose enough to lend itself to such adjustment. It isespecially when the device is used upon a small or narrow machine thatthe slack in the bottom of the bag will need the support of thelongitudinal braces 16. The latter, however, have additional usefulfunctions, as stated above.

I have in the foregoing described the preferred construction of theparts of my invention; but I desire it to be understood that I reservethe right to any modifications and changes of details which are Withinthe scope ofthe invention.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States- 1. In a device ofthe classdescribed the combination with a top frame composed essentially of sidepieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar,said side pieces being providedwith eyes, of a bottom frame composed of side pieces spaced apart by arear cross-bar and having front pieces engaging the eyes of the topframe and extending the full length between the sides thereof, and meansfor holding said front pieces in sliding engagement With each other,substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the class deseribed,the combination With a top framecomposed essentially of side pieces spaced apart by a rearcross-bar,said side pieces being provided with eyes, of a bottom framecomposed of side pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar and havingfront pieces engaging the eyes of the top frame and extending betweenthe sides thereof, and a spring coiled upon said front pieces and havingits ends connected with the side pieces of the frame, substantially asset forth.

3. In a device of the class described the comhina-tionV of a top framecomposed essentially of side pieces spaced apart by a rear crossbar,said side pieces being provided vvith eyes, a bottom frame composed ofside pieces spaced apart by a rear cross-bar and having front piecesengaging the eyes of the top frame and extending between the sidesthereof, and braces having eyes engaging the rear crossbar of the bottomframe and additional eyes engaging the front pieces ot' said frame whichare thereby slidingly held together, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a device of the class described the herein-described bottom framehaving front pieces or guide-rods lying loosely against each otheil incombination With longitudinal bracerods connected With the rearcross-barof the frame and having eyes encircling the front pieces or guide-rodsof the same, which are thereby slidingly connected, substantially as setforth.

5. In a device of the class described the herein-described bottom framehaving front pieces or guide-rods lying loosely against each other, andlongit udinal braces connected with the rear cross-bar of the frame, andhaving eyes encircling the front pieces of the same, which are therebyslidingly connected, in combination with a suitably-constructed topframe having eyes engaging the front pieces of the bottom frame atpoints adjacent to the sides thereof, and a spring coiled upon saidfront pieces and connected at its ends With the sides of the frame,substantially as set forth.

6. Ina device of the class described the herein-described bottom framehaving front pieces lying loosely against each other and provided withrecesses forming shoulders adjacent to the sides thereof in combinationwith a top frame having eyes engaging the recesses upon the front piecesof the bottom frame,and aspring coiled upon said front pieces and con--nected with the sides of the frame, substantially as set forth.

7. In a device of the class described the herein-described top framecomposed essentially of side pieces connected and spaced apart by arearcross-bar, front pieces extending downwardly from said side pieces, eyesIOO IIO

| i l) Witnesses:

the side pieces and engaging the eyes of the top frame, and a springcoiled upon the overlapping front pieces of the bottom frame and yconnected at its ends with the sides of the frame, substantially vas setforth.

In testimony that I claim theforegoing as my own I have hereto afxed mysignature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LA FAYETTE WILDERMUTH.

FRANKLIN RUBRECHT, LUKE G. BYRNE.

